New Jersey lieutenant governor faces ethics probe amid partisan criticism
Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell is under a state ethics investigation over alleged inappropriate conduct with women, while Governor Mikie Sherrill has limited his campaign travel.
Dale Caldwell, the lieutenant governor and secretary of state of New Jersey, is the subject of a months-long ethics investigation into allegations that he distributed business cards and invited women to events for personal reasons. The inquiry, overseen by a former state attorney general, began after anonymous complaints and a state employee’s report of inappropriate remarks. Supporters, including business leader Duvi Honig and several community figures, argue the accusations are unfounded and possibly racially motivated.
Governor Mikie Sherrill, who elevated Caldwell to the ticket in 2025, has reduced her campaign travel amid the controversy, though she maintains that any credible allegations will be addressed. Caldwell has denied the claims, citing his record and suggesting the probe reflects bias against a Black official. The investigation remains ongoing with no public comment from the probing law firm.
